Cyclometer



(mm B. s. RITCHIE.

Oyolometer.

No. 242,157. Patented May 31,1881.

Fig.3.

Fig. 2.

Inventor.

Edward S Ede/Lie.

names.

N. PETERS. Pmw-Lnhe m tm wmhm mn. Dv C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD S. RITCHIE, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CYCLOMETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,157, dated. May 31,1881.

Application filed November 10, 1880. tModcl.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD S. RITCHIE, ofBrookline, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Odometers, or instruments forindicating the number of revolutions ofa wheel or the distance ordistances traveled over by a bicycle or wheetcarriage; and I do herebydeclare the same to be described in the following specification andrepresented in the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure ldenotesavertiealsection of amcastiring-instrument of my improved kind asapplied to the axle of the wheel of the bicycle. Fig. 2 is an end viewof the semicircular magnets and their carrier. Fig. 3 is a front view ofthe supporter of the magnetic needle and its train, dial, and hand to bedescribed. Fig. 4 is an edge view of said supporter. Fig. 5 is a sectionshowing the train of gearing to be described. Fig.6 denotesapproximately the directions assumed by the magnetic needle on itsarbor,bein gin positions,as shown,relatively to a single pair of arealmagnets. Fig. 7 denotes approximately the directions assumed by themagnetic needle on its arbor, being in the positions, as shown,relatively to two pairs of areal magnets.

The nature of my invention is defined in the claims hereinaftermentioned.

A material part of my odometer consists of two or other suitable numberor pairs of magnets and carrier therefor, another and mate rial part ofthe said odometer consisting in a magnetic needle, a train of gears, adial, and a hand, and a suitable frame or supporter for them, all beingsubstantially and to operate as hereinafter described.

The carrier of the magnets, as shown and arranged for use on a bicycle,is composed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, of two semicircular blocks orpieces, a, of brass or other suitable material, provided with connectingdevices, so that it may be readily adapted to and fixed upon the axle Bof a bicycle, in order to revolve therewith. The magnets are arranged inthe carrier at U D, as shown in Fig. 2-that is, with their north polesin contact or 0011- tiguity, and with their south poles also in contactor contiguity. Near them, and in a frame or hanger or train and dialsupporter E, is a short magnetic needle or bar, F, fixed at its middleto an arbor, (1, upon which is secured the first gear or pinion, I), ofa train composed of any suitable number of gear-wheels or pinions, c dcfg h 1' 75 l m, the arbor a of the last wheel of the train carrying ahand, 0, to travel around a dial, P, properly divided or marked torepresent distances run by the bicycle-wheel.

The dial or train supporter carrying the magnetic needle, as described,is attached to or hung upon the axle B, to turn freely upon it, so as tobe stationary relatively to the mag net-carrier, and held by force ofgravity from revolving with it.

The force of attraction of the magnets while the wheel revolves will soact on the magnetic needle as to cause it to make one revolution foreach revolution ofthe wheel. The dial may be marked to indicate thenumber of such revolutions or distances run, which will be indicated bythe hand.

I do not confine my invention to the use of two magnets, as described,as two or more pairs of magnets may be used with their like poles incontiguity.

It is evident that the dial-supporter E may be fixed to the axle torevolve with it, and the magnet-carrier to turn freely and hold fromrevolving by force of gravity, the relative coir dition and actionremaining the same.

I am aware that a rotary magnet and magnetic needle actuated by it, andboth revolving on axes in or nearly in same line, is not new. Such anarrangement is shown in United States Patent No. 75,313. My arrangementdifl'ers materially in forming the magnet as circular or ring form, andin the axes being widely eccentric. As shown in drawings anddescription, the needle revolves in the opposite direction.

WVhat I claim as of my invention in the abovedescribed odometer is asfollows, viz:

1. The combination of a shaft or axle, with two or more magnets and acase or support therefor, made in parts, as set forth, so as to renderit capable of being attached to the said axle, with a separate casecarrying a magnetic needle, to be operated substantiallyas specified.

2. In combination with a shaft or axle and a case or frame carrying amagnet or magnets,

a separate case hearing a magnetic needle, the scribed, so that by themutual attractions and said cases hein g so arranged that one shall herepulsious of such magnet or n'iagnets and neefastened so as to revolvewith the shaft or axle, dle the latter shall be caused to revolve in awhile the other remaiusloose, to beheld from direction opposite to thatof the said magnet 5 revolution by force of gravity. l or magnets.

3. The combinatlon of one or more magnets, ED WD S. RITCHIE.

forinin g a rim g or portions thereof, and arranged to revolve around anaxis, with a magnetic nee- Witnesses: dle disposed in or on a separateease or carrier l. H. EDDY, [O and arranged substantially as shown andde- S. N. PIPER. I.

